Genomic Rewilding of Domestic Animals: The Role of Hybridization and Selection in Wolfdog Breeds

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60460709%3A41340%2F25%3A102754" target="_blank" >RIV/60460709:41340/25:102754 - isvavai.cz</a>

Alternative codes found

RIV/00216208:11310/25:10498977

Result on the web

<a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16010102" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16010102</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/genes16010102" target="_blank" >10.3390/genes16010102</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Genomic Rewilding of Domestic Animals: The Role of Hybridization and Selection in Wolfdog Breeds

Original language description

Background/Objectives: The domestication of the grey wolf (Canis lupus) and subsequent creation of modern dog breeds have significantly shaped the genetic landscape of domestic canines. This study investigates the genomic effects of hybridization and breeding management practices in two hybrid wolfdog breeds: the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog (CSW) and the Saarloos Wolfdog (SAW). Methods: We analyzed the genomes of 46 CSWs and 20 SAWs, comparing them to 12 German Shepherds (GSHs) and 20 wolves (WLFs), which served as their ancestral populations approximately 70-90 years ago. Results: Our findings highlight that hybridization can increase genetic variability and mitigate the effects of inbreeding, as evidenced by the observed heterozygosity levels in both wolfdog breeds. However, the SAW genome revealed a higher coefficient of inbreeding and longer runs of homozygosity compared to the CSW, reflecting significant inbreeding during its development. Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components and fixation index analyses demonstrate that the CSW exhibits closer genetic proximity to the GSH than the SAW, likely due to differences in the numbers of GSHs used during their creation. Maximum likelihood clustering further confirmed clear genetic differentiation between these hybrid breeds and their respective ancestors, while shared ancestral polymorphism was detectable in all populations. Conclusions: These results highlight the role of controlled hybridization with captive-bred wolves and peculiar breeding strategies in shaping the genetic structure of wolfdog breeds. To ensure the long-term genetic health of these breeds, it is recommended to promote adequate and sustainable breeding practices to maintain genetic diversity, minimize inbreeding, and incorporate the careful selection of unrelated individuals from diverse lineages, while avoiding additional, uncontrolled crossings with wild wolves.

Czech name

—

Czech description

—

Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

10603 - Genetics and heredity (medical genetics to be 3)

Project

<a href="/en/project/SS07010447" target="_blank" >SS07010447: Genetic monitoring of the wolf</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Genes

ISSN

2073-4425

e-ISSN

2073-4425

Volume of the periodical

16

Issue of the periodical within the volume

JAN 2025

Country of publishing house

CH - SWITZERLAND

Number of pages

14

Pages from-to

1-14

UT code for WoS article

001403843200001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85215807425